The elbow tuberculosis: rare and exceptional localization

Abstract

The tuberculosis of the elbow is an exceptional localization of the mycobacterium tuberculosis. This raises a diagnostic problem which is often tardy. This could therefore, have important consequences. We report 2 cases of chronic arthritis of the elbow, where the diagnosis was built on the anatomic-pathology investigation. In addition to the surgical synovectomy, the antibacillar treatment had stopped the infection. This led to stiffness of the elbow in one of these two patients. Through these observations, we discuss the rarity of this tuberculosis localization which must be treated promptly to avoid heavy consequences.

Highland Medical Research Journal Vol. 4(1) 2006: 113-118